Robbie Deans has left Drew Mitchell and Lachie Turner out of the Wallabies’ 28-man Tri-Nations squad.

Both wings featured for the Wallabies in June, however they will miss the Tri-Nations after failing to impress head coach Deans. Other players who are also dropped are props Pek Cowan and Laurie Weeks and hooker Huia Edmonds.

The omissions of Mitchell and Turner mean that Adam Ashley-Cooper is likely to remain at wing instead of fullback, his preferred position. Peter Hynes and Digby Ioane are the only other recognised wings in the squad and Ioane is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury.

The Wallabies’ front row have been boosted by the returns of loosehead prop Benn Robinson and hooker Stephen Moore, who will bring experience to the scrum after inconsistent performances during the June internationals. However, hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, prop Ben Alexander and No 8 Stephen Hoiles have not been considered because of their respective injuries.

Deans has also selected centre Anthony Faingaa, lock Rob Simmons and flankers Scott Higginbotham and Ben McCalman. The Wallabies start their Tri-Nations campaign on 24 July against the Springboks in Brisbane.